Aging and Independence Services (AIS) of San Diego County created a wellness program called the Feeling Fit Club, primarily intended for sedentary, at-risk older adults. The Feeling Fit Club encompasses the county’s goal, vision and direction for the future:
Successful aging: to keep people physically active, mentally stimulated, nutritionally healthy, and socially engaged.
The program is implemented in two ways: classes offered throughout the county each week, and a television show that was created in collaboration with San Diego State University that allows people to do the exercises by watching at home.
The creation and implementation of this program served as the catalyst toward this goal while also providing extensive opportunities within the aging community- senior centers, church groups, AARP-affiliates, and other organizations with senior citizen members- to collaborate on achieving common goals that will improve the quality of life for the seniors in our community.
The main component of this program is a functional fitness class focusing on flexibility, strength and balance movements to ensure participant improvement in his/her ability to maintain independence and activities of daily living. A series of wellness workshops (including osteoporosis education, Fall Prevention Program, etc.) provides the educational component to encourage a commitment to healthy lifestyles in an effort to reduce participant’s health risks. A fitness assessment (including bone density testing) is performed on each participant to establish a baseline measurement for quantifying the physical benefits and improvements.
The goals of the Feeling Fit Club program are to offer a safe, comfortable environment for older adults to engage in physical activity as well as to help older people develop and maintain their level of physical fitness. These programs also encourage social interaction and fun and help to build self-esteem. In addition, this program helps to educate participants about the benefits of exercise, health and fitness concepts.
The expected outcome for each participant is improvement in his/her ability to maintain independence and activities of daily living as well as the following:
Classes
Classes are offered several times per week at 26 locations throughout the county. Classes are offered year-round and last 1 hour per session. All classes are free, except when taught at community colleges where they cost $5 per semester. Most classes take place in senior centers and recreation rooms in churches or local gyms. The typical class size is 30 to 40 participants, with 90% continuing on with additional classes.
The classes focus on improving flexibility and strength through a variety of exercises. All exercises are low-impact, and can even be done from a chair or wheelchair. Typical exercises include moving one’s feet side to side, stepping back and forth, balancing, and working with light weights.
The classes are taught by local residents who received their training from AIS at one of two training classes throughout the year. Most teachers are physiologists or retired persons looking for a small, part-time job. Teachers are required to work about three or four hours per week and are paid $28 per hour. Many of the teachers find the work to be fun and enjoyable and continue in their positions for many years.
Television Show
The Feeling Fit Club program has its own television show which is aired every day of the week on San Diego County’s public access network. Five episodes are repeated throughout the year, leading stay-at-home senior citizens in the exercise routines. The show is currently San Diego’s number one rated show on public access television.
They do not regularly advertise for the show. Because it is on so frequently, many senior citizens are aware of it merely from flipping through the channels. Though the exact audience share is not known, if the show does not air on a regular day, their office will receive over 100 phone calls.
The biggest cost related to the show is its production. Each one-hour show costs approximately $40,000 to $60,000. Because there are only approximately five shows running on loop at any given time, these costs are not regular.
Results
Strengths
Innovative Ideas
Lessons Learned
In order to bring more cohesiveness to the program, they have considered introducing “Feeling Fit Club” T-shirts and other products. These materials would bring unity to the organization and its members, while also marketing the program itself. The staff at AIS is considering introducing incentives for participants such as free pedometers or other prizes.
Implementation Steps
The program is rather easy for other communities to implement. They suggest starting by calling up a senior center and offering to provide an exercise program instructor. If the senior center is willing to provide the site (and produce evidence of proper insurance, etc.) the municipality can handle the marketing and provide the equipment.
From here, it is a matter of senior citizens showing up and getting started. The biggest challenge is having people attend in the early stages; after that point, the program becomes self-sustaining.
They estimate start-up costs to be over $5,000. The main costs were basic exercise equipment and a paid instructor.
Contact Information
Health Promotion Manager
San Diego County’s Area Agency on Aging
858-495-5061
